I find that NOT conveying my discomfort with a particular run will get me in trouble for sure at Estes, meaning if I feel uncomfortable about running a trip on a route that is expected to be bad, heavy snow and what not, and take the run, it's on ME!
3 Winters ago?(Just before thxgiv 2009 or 2010), I was in the motel in SLC and due to run in the late evening. I called in, and who ever it was on duty told me I was going to go to Grand Junction. Well, I had already been through 2 out of 3 "waves" of snow the past few days and done great, running to Tri-Cities (laydown) and back, then trying to go to Tri-Cities again, but only making it to Boise(too many spinouts & slide offs on the road between Burley and MTN Home that night!), then back to SLC. This third wave had me concerned big time!
I did my research VERY well that night in the motel, and UT6/HWY6 was expecting a foot or so of snow. I70 would have been fine based on my research, but getting to I70 was the problem! LOL
The dispatcher told me to call back in an hour, after I mentioned all the above. I called back, they had decided to cancel ALL Grand Junction runs that night! I was obviously relieved! ;) (p.s.-ended up staying in the motel until the next day)
I am coming up on 20 years of having a CDL (where the hell did time go?!?!?!?!?), and STILL don't have a lot of snow & ice experience, it just panned out that way! 12 Years over at CWX/Con-Way, is most of the reason, 6 years in Phoenix, no chains there, and six years with a dock bid mostly (did little line runs to local towns) in Pasco WA. No chains there either! LOL
Any way, I realize that when the snow hits the fan, it is BEST to make a logical choice. Take into consideration what time of the day it is, what day of the week it is, how much snow, for how far, how many hours I have already worked (...or not) etc, THEN decide if I should take the run or not. Of course, I ASK dispatch if I can or not, take the run, you know what I mean.
I have had to look at reality MANY times in my trucking career, and say to myself, "Hey, a hell of a lot of truckers are making that run tonight, so can I!", especially if I have already had 10 off or more. Some of you guys are just GIFTED and/or GREAT drivers! I applaud that, but unfortunately, I am a "Timid Turtle" LOL ;)
Happy New Years everyone, and what ever you do, do it safe huh? :)